CHAPTER 14
Sophia tapped on the steering wheel, glancing in the rearview mirror several times, keeping just above the speed limit as she drove. Her nerves were on edge, a combination of anxiety and frustration building. She glanced at the single sterling silver rose and the note she’d found at her house, exactly where Wrath had indicated it would be. He’d known better than to make his final request over the phone. She had good reason to believe her phones had several pairs of ears listening.
What he did mention in exacting detail was the name of the informant as well as corroborating evidence regarding the group of people he’d been assigned to assassinate.
David.
If his accusations were only half true, the horrific nature of their activities would be considered treason to the United States. Wrath had subsequently sent a blind email with an address that would quickly disappear, and she’d forwarded it to the director with a significant time delay.
She eased the rose into her hand, taking a deep whiff. He’d remembered her favorite flower or perhaps it was a reminder of the past. Almost everything about Wrath held an air of surprise.
Twenty minutes later, her GPS indicated the correct exit. Slowing down, she made the turn onto the ramp then came to a complete stop. There was no one behind her, no one to help. Or hinder. This had to be done.Calm your nerves. You can do this.This time, she laughed out loud. The little voice had been working overtime.
As she pulled up to a gate, the chain link swung open and she gripped the steering wheel. She pulled to a full stop, cutting the engine only a few seconds later. When she climbed out of the car, she had the Glock in her hand. Taking methodical steps, she walked toward the plane. The Learjet was running, ready to taxi down the runway, no doubt for a country without extradition.
Good for him.
She didn’t have to wait long. The door opened, and she held her breath.
Wrath eased out onto the platform, tilting his head.
The single word in her mind?
Dangerous.
He was dressed in linen pants, a flowing shirt and wearing sunglasses; Sophia was surprised how relaxed he seemed. She held the gun in both hands as he approached, anxiety as well as excitement slithering down her spine.
When he was only a few inches away, he removed his shades then closed the distance. Lifting one arm, he wrapped his handaround hers, squeezing before taking the gun out of her hand. “I wasn’t certain if you would come.”
“I wasn’t certain that I would, but you were right about a deal for protection. They never intended on honoring it.” She’d thought of nothing but the man and the way he made her feel since the incident. He was her world, in some ridiculous but beautiful fashion.
He chuckled. “As I would have expected.”
Inhaling, his exotic cologne filled her nostrils, giving her a sense of peace. She no longer had any fear or reservations, especially since her partner had been an informant for the Dark Haven for years, long before they’d become partners. She had a distinct feeling David’s life would be cut short, spending most of his years inside a Federal prison.
“My world is brutal, sweet Sophia,” Wrath said quietly.
“I know.”
“And unforgiving,” he half laughed.
“The consortium.” Another man approached, equally as handsome as Wrath, a chiseled face that could stop traffic. He studied her intently, a smile finally curling in the corner of his mouth. “They refuse to allow you to have anything to do with them.” Killing Gabriel must have sent more shockwaves than she could imagine.
He noticed her gaze and lifted an eyebrow. “The members certainly don’t kindly to anyone refusing their orders. The fact is, I couldn’t kill you.”
“David made certain they knew I was alive. That bastard.”
Wrath nodded as the other man stopped just a foot behind him. “Let’s just say David was supposed to carry out the hit on my life by tomorrow. The consortium figured that he could get close without causing initial alarm. I was lucky that I was tipped off as to the detailed plan.”
Swallowing, she inched even closer, her body trembling. “Then I was next on the list.”
“Yes. As you might imagine, I couldn’t allow that to happen, but I required some help in getting out of a difficult situation.”
Sophia shifted closer to the stranger, eyeing him up and down. “That’s where you come in.”
“She is just as formidable as you told me, Wrath, but entirely more beautiful,” the stranger commented in a husky voice, the Italian accent heavy. He took her hand, pressing his lips against her knuckles. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nicolo Moretti.”
The name rang a significant bell.
